Marc Anthony
El Cantante - The Movie (Based On The Life Of Salsa Legend Héctor Lavoe) DVD
DVD
(Picturehouse/New Line 311082),
Released 2007;
Editor's Pick:
Just in time for the holidays!
It would be difficult for any salsa fan to resist this colorful, rhythm-packed, drug drenched interpretation of the life of superstar Héctor Lavoe. Jennifer López is, surprisingly, wonderful as Lavoe's wife Puchi — especially her transformative portrayal of the woman as the older, hardened, widow recanting her life with the singer. Those of you who are familiar with the meteoric rise of the transplanted Puerto Rican singer in the New York '70s salsa scene and his tragic ending might not find much information that's not already well documented, but seasoned salsa listeners will delight in spotting familiar faces peppered through the film. Ismael Miranda is quite powerful as Lavoe's unyielding father. Victor Manuelle plays Ruben Blades debuting the song "El Cantante" — a gift to Lavoe — in a small club. Yomo Toro's at a party, and one can spot Milton Cardona, Eddie Montalvo, Tito Allen and a host of other salsa notables throughout the film. Marc Anthony had obviously studied all available footage of Lavoe, and gets the inflections and moves down pat. He does a credible, if not quite compelling, job as the simultaneously rising and falling Lavoe, whose constant battles with personal demons push him further into drug addition, attempted suicide, a mental breakdown and worse. Well, you know how it goes. Anthony's singing is, however, phenomenal, as is the musical score by Sergio George. Note should be made of John Ortiz who played Willie Colón, Federico Castelluccio, who is perfect as the salsa mogul head of Fania, Jerry Masucci, and Nelson Vasquez whose remarkable, uncanny interpretation of Johnny Pacheco has to be seen to be believed. For the history, the music, and all the good guys getting their 15 minutes of fame...
Highly Recommended. (BP, 2007-11-12)
Description:
In their dazzling first on-screen pairing, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony bring to life this riveting tale of romance and redemption based on the true story of salsa legend Hector Lavoe and the woman who kept him from falling over the edge.
It's the 1970s and the Salsa revolution is in full swing. Hector Lavoe (Anthony) is the singer, El Cantante, whose voice can move millions and whose passion moves one woman, his wife Puchi (Lopez). But when the spotlight brings Lavoe's personal demons and addictions to light, it will take the incredible devotion of his wife to put him on the path to becoming the legend he was born to be.
Special Feature:
•The Sound and Heat of El Cantante
•Feature Commentaries with Director Leon Ichaso and Writers Todd Anthony Bello and David Darmstaedter.
Musicians include:
Tito Allen
Eddie Montalvo
Papo Pepin
Willie Villegas
William Cepeda
Pete Nater
David Oquendo
Ray Sepulveda
Luis Quintero
Marc Quiñones
Sergio George
Bobby Allende
Milton Cardona
Andy Gonzalez
Alfredo De La Fe
Brian Lynch
Jimmy Bosch
Nelson Gonzalez
Jose Mangual Jr.
Yomo Toro ...and many others
Category: Dvd
=> Film
Shipping Value: 1
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